The Unwanted Marriage

Chapter 20

Amina's POV

I stood in the kitchen, washing the last of the dishes. Zayd had left for the office earlier than usual today, and I didn't know why. A sense of dismay settled over me as my thoughts wandered. Perhaps he'd been forced into this marriage. Or worse—maybe there was already someone else in his life, someone he truly cared for.

That would explain the cold distance he kept from me, the way he seemed to exist in a world where I didn't belong. The thought struck me with a pang of guilt. Had I unknowingly come between them? If so, how unfair it was for all of us—him, her, and even me.

Sadness weighed on me as I sighed and turned off the tap. Pushing those thoughts aside, I reminded myself that Layla would be here any moment. I needed to prepare something for us.

As I finished cooking, the doorbell rang. I quickly walked to the door and checked the security camera—it was Layla, smiling brightly. Opening the door, I was greeted with a tight hug.

"How are you, my sister-in-law?" she said cheerfully.

I hugged her back, smiling. "Alhamdulillah, I'm great. And you?"

"Alhamdulillah, I'm also great. Won't you invite me inside?" she teased, pulling away.

"Well, you didn't really give me a chance, with your bone-crushing hug," I replied, raising a slightly furrowed eyebrow.

She laughed and stepped inside. We sat on the living room couch, and her mischievous smile told me she had something up her sleeve.

"So, tell me," she began, her tone playful. "How's married life treating you? Are you enjoying it?"

I gulped, forcing a smile to my face. "Alhamdulillah, it's going very well. Your brother is very kind and takes great care of me," I said, struggling to hold back tears.

"Oh, that's great to hear!" she said, her voice warm. "I know my brother can be a little cold, but he's not bad at heart. He loves his family a lot."

I nodded, smiling faintly.

"Come, let's have lunch. I cooked your favorite," I said, standing up, eager to change the subject.

"Aw, thank you so much, Amina! That's so sweet of you," she said, standing as well, her face lighting up.

"Done with your buttering?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Hmm, I think so," she replied, pretending to think deeply.

I burst out laughing—she really did know how to make me smile. Shaking my head, I headed toward the kitchen, and she followed.

We set the table and started eating, chatting the whole time. Once we were done, she leaned back in her chair.

"Amina, let's go to a cafe. It's been so long since we went out together," she suggested.

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, let me change and inform your brother first."

She grinned teasingly but didn't say anything. I quickly changed into something casual, donned my abaya and niqab, and sent Zayd a message since I knew he wouldn't answer my call. With everything sorted, Layla and I headed to the cafe, eager to spend some quality time together.

We sat in the back seat of Layla's car as she instructed the driver to take us to the cafe. When we arrived, I realized it was the most famous—and most expensive—cafe in the city. As we stepped inside, my gaze fell on someone familiar.

Zayd.

He was sitting at a table, talking to a woman whose face I couldn't see. My heart sank, and I quickly averted my eyes as Layla pulled me toward an empty two-seater table. I sat opposite her, but from where I was, I could still see Zayd clearly.